This publication reviews the practices followed by member countries of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) – spanning 56 countries across Europe, Central Asia and North America – in conducting their population and housing censuses of the 2020 round. The aim is to compare the approaches adopted by countries and to assess the extent of their alignment with the Conference of European Statisticians (CES) Recommendations for the 2020 Censuses of Population and Housing (referred in the publication as “CES Recommendations” or “CESR”).

The analysis is based on an online survey carried out by UNECE in 2023 (the “UNECE survey”), which gathered detailed information on the methods, technologies and operational practices followed in the 2020 census round. The publication is complemented by an online interactive dashboard presenting the survey results. It also includes comparisons between the 2020 and the 2010 census rounds, drawing on information from the UNECE publication on the 2010 round.

The publication is organized in two parts. The first part examines methodological, technological, operational and organizational aspects of census taking, including issues related to coverage, data quality, costs, challenges encountered, successes achieved and lessons learned. The second part reviews the statistical topics on which data are collected and evaluates countries’ compliance with the CES Recommendations.

By documenting the experiences of the 2020 round, this publication aims to support national statistical offices in assessing their recent census operations and to provide practical guidance for the planning and conducting of censuses in the 2030 round.